March 25, 2016 3:09pm EDTNovember 4, 2013 8:28pm ESTESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks have been discussing a trade involving Samardzija and that negotiations likely will continue in the offseason.

Samardzija, 28, is eligible for salary arbitration next spring and can become a free agent after the 2015 season. This year he set career highs with 213 2/3 innings and 214 strikeouts but also had a 4.34 ERA (91 ERA+) and a 1.35 WHIP. The latter three figures were worse than what he put up in his breakthrough 2012 season.